Patient handling device for bath tubs



Aug. 9, 1955 1. N. GROSS ET Al.

PATIENT HANDLING DEVICE FOR BATH TuBs 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 3, 1952 Aug. 9, 1955 J. N. @Ross ET AL 2,714,727

PATIENT HANDLING DEVICE FOR BATH TUBS Filed March 5, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENToRs .10H/v /v. @Ross EARL A. Kops BY HENRY K. PEC/r JR.

' AGENT Aug. 9, 1955 J. N. GROSS l-:T AL 2,714,727

PATIENT HANDLING DEVICE FOR BATH TUBs Filed March 5, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENToRs .10H/v /v. @Ross EARL A. Kops BY HENRY K. PEcK Jn.

AGE/VT United States Patent basi PATENT HANDLING DEVICE FOR BATH T UBS John N. Gross, Earl A. Kops, and Henry K. Peck, Jr.,

San Diego, Calif., assignors, by direct and mesne assignments,` of one-half to John N. Gross and one-half to Dewey C. Rickenbacker, Beverly Hills, Calif.

Application March 3, 1952, Serial No. 274,548

7 Claims. (Cl. 4-185) Our invention relates to a patient handling means for bathtubs, and the objects of our invention are:

First, to provide a patient handling means of this class which may be readily and easily inserted and placed in connection with a conventional bathtub without securing any iixtures thereto.

Second, to provide a patient handling means of this class which incorporates a simple frame which is very light in proportion to its utility and which may be easily handled by a single person.

Third, to provide a patient handling means for bathtubs of this class which is very easy to maintain in sanitary condition.

Fourth, to provide patient handling means for bathtubs of this class which does not employ any electrical equipment in connection therewith, thereby greatly reducing hazards attendant to the handling of patients in water.

Fifth, to provide a patient handling means for bathtubs of this class in which all of the operating mechanism is maintained above the water level, whereby the tray of the means only is immersed when a patient is lowered into the bathtub thereon.

Sixth, to provide a patient handling means for bathtubs of this class, which is very readily and easily operated by a nurse of very slight physical proportion.

Seventh, to provide a patient handling means for bathtubs of this class having a removable tray cover which greatly promotes sanitation and which is foraminous per mitting it to be readily laundered.

Eighth, to provide a patient handling means for bathtubs of this class which is very stable and which does not permit the tray thereof to tilt or cause any anxiety of the patient.

Ninth, to provide a patient handling means of this class which lends itself to employment of stainless steel tubing or the like which is very easy to maintain in sanitary condition and which is very light in weight and;

Tenth, to provide a patient handling means of this class which is very simple and economical of construction, efficient in operation and which will not readily deteriorate or get out of order.

With these and other objects in view as will appear hereinafter our invention consists of certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts and portions as will be hereinafter described in detail and particularly set forth in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings and to the characters of reference thereon, forming a part of this application in which:

Fig. l is an end elevational view of our patient handling means for bathtubs showing by dash lines the position of a bathtub and also a varying position of the patient handling tray in elevated position.

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view ot' our patient handling means for bathtubs showing by dash lines the relative position of the bathtub along its longitudinal axis.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the tray of our patient handling means for bathtubs, having the removable cover thereon and shown in detachable condition.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary top or plan view of the removable tray cover of our patient handling means for bathtubs,

Similar characters of reference refer to similar parts and portions throughout the several views of the drawings.

The frame 1, tray 2, shaft 3, arms 4 and 5, stabilizer 6, stabilizer supporting bracket 7, actuator 8, bracket 9, lever 10, bearings 11 and 12, valve 13, pump 14 and the tray cover 15 constitutes the principal parts and portions of our patient handling means for bathtubs.

The frame 1 is provided with a pair of upright legs 1a and 1b which are preferably made of thin tubular material such as stainless steel or the like. At the lower ends of these legs 1a and 1b are adjustable screw jack feet 1c and 1d adapted to permit the elevational adjustment of the legs la and 1b in order to dispose the horizontal portions of the frame 1 above the upper surface of the bathtub shown by dash lines in Fig. l of the drawings. The horizontal portions of the frame 1 include a longitudinal member of the frame 1 shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings which interconnects the legs 1a and 1b. Supported on the horizontal portions of the frame 1 adjacent the legs 1a and 1b are the bearings 11 and 12 in which the hollow shaft 3 is rotatably mounted. These bearings 11 and 12 are provided with conventional bearing caps and the stabilizer supporting bracket 7 is tixed to the bear.e ing cap of the bearing 11 as shown in. Figs. l and 2 of the drawings. Fixed on the shaft 3 near each opposite end of the bathtub, as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings are the arms 4 and 5. These arms 4 and 5 are adjacent the bearings 11 and 12 respectively and the opposite ends of these arms 4 and 5 are arranged to pivotally support the bearing portions 2d and 2e respectively of the tray 2. These bearings 2a' and 2e are shown in detail in Fig. 3 of the drawings. The bearing 2f shown in Fig. 3 of the drawing is pivotally connected to the opposite end of the stabilizer arrn 6 from the bracket '7. The bracket 7 is a stationary bracket mounted on the bearing y11 as hereinbefore described and is provided with a pivotal pin 7a on which the one end of the stabilizer 6 is connected. This stabilizer 6 operates in substantially parallel relation with the arms 4 and 5 in order to prevent tilting` of the tray away from the desired transversely horizontal position while allowing the necessary pivotal movement of the tray about the common axis of the bearings 2d and 2e when the tray is being elevated from the bathtub or lowered thereinto. The ends of the levers 4 and 5 engaging the bearings 2d and 2e are similar in construction. The lever 4 as shown in Fig. l of the drawings is provided with a bearing head 4a having a cap 4b pivoted by means of the pin 4c. The cap 4c joins the head 4a at 4a' which is substantially on an angle of 45 degrees to the axis of the pin c so that the bearing 2e is vertically supported in an arcuate portion of the bearing head 4a when the arm 4 is either in substantially horizontal position or substantially vertical position, thus the load imposed on the tray Z is not borne by the cap 4b, but is entirely borne by the bearing portions of the arms 4 and 5. The bracket 9 is a stationary bracket secured to a horizontal portion of the frame 1 and provides a pivotal mounting by means of the pin 9b for the hydraulic cylinder 8 which is pivoted at its plunger 8c to the pin 10a of the lever 10 fixed to the shaft 3. This hydraulic cylinder 3 is a double acting cylinder having separate conduits 8a and 8b in connection with opposite ends thereof which conduits communicate with the valve 13 which is a reversing valve connected to the manually operated pump 14 which is actuated by means of the 3 lever 14a. The valve 13 is provided with an operating handle 13a for reversing the same so that movement of the lever 14a causes the cylinder 8 to extend its plunger 8c when the valve .13a is in one position and causes the cylinder 8 to retract its plunger 8c when the valve 13 :1 is positioned in another position as indicated by dash lines in Fig. 1 of the drawings. The pump 14, valve 13 and theV cylinder 8 are all conventional hydraulic equipment. I't will be noted that the frame 1 at its rearward horizontal portion is provided with a support 1e which maintains the frame 1 in certain spaced relation with the upper porton of the bathtub in order to prevent scratching thereof and to insure precise clearance during vertical operation of the levers 4 and 5 at the lower portion of the tray 2. In addition, it will be noted that the tray 2 is provided with a soft pad 2k which may be engaged with the lower portion of the bathtub in the event the proportions of the tub permit such engagement which prevents scratching or wear of the tub by means of the tray 2. The tray cover 15 is preferably made of fabric or may be made of plastic or any other suitable material and this cover 15 is provided with end straps 15b adapted to connect the cover with the lateral frame portions 2g and 2]' of the tray 2 while the strap portions 15a of the tray cover 15 are adapted to be secured to the lower side rail portions 2b of the tray 2 which are supported by the upwardly extending portions 2a and 2c of the tray frame 2. The tray cover as shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings is illustrated fragmentarily since it is symmetrical about its middle longitudinal axis.

The operation of our patient handling means for bath- -tubs is substantially as follows:

When it is desired to place a disabled patient in a bathtub, he may be transported into the bathroom on a conventional wheel stretcher. The wheel stretcher may be moved laterally between the upright legs 1a and 1b or into close proximity thereto and the patient may be moved directly onto the tray cover 15 which is arranged to substantially align with the elevation of the conventional wheeled structure. Thus the patient may be rolled directly onto the tray cover 15 and then the lever 13a of the valve 13 is positioned to permit circulation of uid through the hydraulic cylinder 8 in a direction permitting retraction of the plunger 8c when the lever 14a of the pump 14 is operated. The arms 4 and 5 fixed on the shaft 3 controlled by the hydraulic cylinder 8 connected to the lever 10 gradually and smoothly lower the tray 2 While the stabilizer 6 prevents tilting thereof about the pivotal axis of the bearings 2d and 2e. When the tray 2 is partially immersed, the patient is in position near the bottom of the bathtub on the tray 15 and he may be bathed efliciently during which time the bearings 2e and 2d are above the surface of the water and none of the confined operating mechanism touches the water and during which time all of the tray portions which are immersed in the water are sealed and therefore may be readily sanitized when the tray 2 is removed from the water. Removal of the tray 2, carrying the patient from the bathtub is simply reversal of the operation of placing the tray in the bathtub whereby the tray is returned to the dash line position A for replacing the patient on a conventional portable or wheel stretcher as desired.

It will be noted that some patients having certain mental conditions are very difficult to handle and require alternate methods of handling. Such patients may be -secured to the tray 2 preliminary to immersion of the patient in the water. The tray 2 may be removed from the arms 4 and 5 by pivoting the cap 4b on the pins 4c and lifting the bearing portions 2e and 2d from the bearing portions at the ends of these arms 4 and 5 as hereinbefore described. The tray may then be transported to the patients room and the patient may be strapped to the tray and then transported to the bathtub whereupon the bearings 2d and 2e are simply engaged with the end bearing portions of the levers 4 and 5 and the caps 4b are pivoted into position. Such an uncontrollable patient is then lowered into the water and the particular temperature of the bath in these cases is critical in its relation to the only treatment which can be used to return the patient to a rational `state and therefore the tray 2 in its readily removable `relationship with the arms 4 and 5 is very useful in certain cases.

Though we have shown and described a particular construction, combination 'and arrangement of parts 'and portions, and a certain mode of operation, we do not wish to be limited to this particular construction, combination and arrangement but desire to include in the scope of our invention, the construction combination and arrangement substantially as set forth in the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. In a patient handling means 'for bathtubs, a frame having horizontal portions located near 'the upper portion of a bathtub and near one side thereof, a shaft mounted on said frame for oscillatory motion, means for actuating said shaft by rotating the same, a single pair of substantially parallel arms Xed on said shaft to swing in arcuate paths from substantially vertical positions alongside said bathtub to substantially horizontal positions over said bathtub, a tray pivoted at its opposite ends to the ends of said arms remote from said shaft and supported solely by said single pair of arms, a stabilizer pivoted to said tray in vertical spaced relation to the pivotal position of one of said arms and provided with a stationary pivotal mounting on said frame at its opopposite end adjacent said shaft, whereby said stabilizer prevents pivotal or tilting movement of said tray on the ends of said arms when supported thereby.

2. In a patient handling means for bathtubs, a frame having horizontal portions located near the upper portion of a bathtub and near one side thereof, a shaft mounted on said frame for oscillatory motion, means for actuating said shaft by rotating the same, arms iXed on said shaft adapted to swing in an arcuate path from a substantially vertical position alongside said bathtub to a substantially horizontal position over said bathtub, a tray pivoted at its opposite ends` to the ends of said arms remote from said shaft and supported solely by said single pair of arms, a stabilizer pivoted to said tray in vertical spaced relation to the pivotal position of one of said arms and provided with a stationary pivotal mounting on said frame at its opposite end adjacent said shaft, whereby said stabilizer prevents pivotal or tilting movement of said tray on the ends of said arms when supported thereby, said frame having xed floor engaging legs and adjustable elevational screw jacks on said legs, and bearing means on said horizontal portions adapted to engage the upper surface of a bathtub.

3. In a patient handling means for bathtubs, a frame having horizontal portions located near the upper portion of a bathtub and near one side thereof,`a shaft mounted on said frame for oscillatory motion, means for actuating said shaft by rotating the same, arms fixed on said shaft adapted to swing in an arcuate path from a substantially vertical position alongside said bathtub to a substantially horizontal position over said bathtub, a tray pivoted at its opposite ends to the ends of said arms remote from said shaft and supported solely by said single pair of arms, a stabilizer pivoted to said tray in vertical spaced relation to the pivotal position of one of said arms and provided with a stationary pivotal mounting on said frame at its opposite end adjacent said shaft, whereby said stabilizer prevents pivotal or tilting movement of said tray on the ends of said arms when supported thereby, said tray comprising a substantially open frame, and a exible tray cover removably secured to said tray.

4. In a patient handling means for bathtubs, a frame having horizontal portions located near the upper portion of a bathtub and near one side thereof, a shaft mounted on said frame for oscillatory motion, means for actuating said shaft by rotating the same, arms fixed on said shaft adapted to swing in an arcuate path from a substantially vertical position alongside said bathtub to a substantially horizontal position over said bathtub, a tray pivoted at its opposite ends to the ends of said arms remote from said shaft and supported solely by said single pair of arms, a stabilizer pivoted to said tray in vertical spaced relation to the pivotal position of one of said arms and provided with a stationary pivotal mounting on said frame at its opposite end adjacent said shaft, whereby said stabilizer prevents pivotal or tilting movement of said tray on the ends of said arms when supported thereby and a flexible tray cover removably secured to said tray, said tray having depending side rails for lowering into a bathtub and between which said ilexible tray cover is suspended.

5. In a patient handling means for bathtubs, a frame having horizontal portions located near the upper portion of a bathtub and near one side thereof, a shaft mounted on said frame for oscillatory motion, means for actuating said shaft by rotating the same, arms fixed on said shaft adapted to swing in an arcuate path from a substantially vertical position alongside said bathtub to a substantially horizontal position over said bathtub, a tray pivoted at its opposite ends to the ends of said arms remote from said shaft and supported solely by said single pair of arms, a stabilizer pivoted to said tray in vertical spaced relation to the pivotal position of one of said arms and provided with a stationary pivotal mounting on said frame at its opposite end adjacent said shaft, whereby said stabilizer prevents pivotal or tilting movement of said tray on the ends of said arms when supported thereby, said means for actuating said shaft cornprising a lever on said shaft, a hydraulic cylinder having a double acting plunger therein pivoted at its plunger to said lever and pivoted at its opposite end to said frame.

6. In a patient handling means for bathtubs, a frame having a portion for positioning adjacent one side edge portion of a bathtub, a shaft pivoted on said frame, a single pair of substantially parallel arms fixed to said shaft, a tray having pivotal connections with the ends of said arms remote from said shaft, said tray having downwardly extending end portions and side rails rigidly fixed to said end portions and depending beneath said pivotal connections so that said tray may be positioned internally of the bathtub when said shaft is pivoted to carry said arms across said edge portion of the bathtub, a stabilizer adapted to prevent tilting of said tray from the horizontal position about the axis of said connections, said stabilizer being terminally pivotally secured to said frame and said tray.

7. In a patient handling means for bathtubs, a frame having a portion for positioning adjacent one side edge portion of a bathtub, a shaft pivoted on said frame, a single pair of substantially parallel arms fixed to said shaft, a tray having pivotal connections with the ends of said arms remote from said shaft, said tray having downwardly extending end portions and side rails rigidly fixed to said end portions, and depending beneath said pivotal connections so that said tray may be positioned internally of the bathtub, means for pivoting said shaft, a stabilizer pivoted to and extending between said frame and said tray to prevent tilting of the tray from the transversely horizontal position as the tray is shifted, the portion of said frame remote from said tray comprising substantially upright leg portions having adjustable members at the lower ends thereof to support the frame at one side, and horizontal portions extending from the upper ends of said legs, said horizontal portions having end supports for engaging the rear top portion of a bathtub at the side of the bathtub remote from said shaft to support the frame at the other side thereof.

References Cited in the Ele of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,208,410 Carter July 16, 1940 2,582,586 Dorr Ian. 15, 1952 2,604,636 Nielsen July 29, 1952 

